Team Anna comes under sharp attack in LS

Even as members spoke against Team Anna, MPs from Congress belonging to Telangana as also those from TRS and TDP rushed to Well shouting slogans in support of statehood.

Leader of the Opposition Sushma Swaraj said that by speaking against democratic institutions, the civil society members were indirectly inviting dictatorship. She said while on the one hand, it wants the Lokpal Bill to be cleared by Parliament and on the other, it was accusing the MPs of being corrupt. She said if MPs were "looters", "corrupt" and "rapists", then why did Team Anna send three of its demands to be incorporated in a resolution passed by Parliament.

Swaraj recalled that BJP, along with other opposition parties, had supported Anna Hazare`s demand for a strong Lokpal Bill and had even slammed the government for brining a "weak" legislation. She said the issue was not limited to an individual or a group of MPs but the entire institution which is the anchor of democracy in the country.

JD-U leader and NDA convenor Sharad Yadav accused Team Anna of targeting him and found support from Swaraj. He also sought to know how many Team Anna members have gone to jail for raising issues of public interest. "I have been to jail...I have fought all my life," said a visibly agitated Yadav.

Demanding a resolution against Team Anna for using derogatory language, Yadav said Anna Hazare, who was present during Sunday`s token fast, should have stopped his colleagues from targeting Parliament and using such a language against parliamentarians.

Accusing Team Anna of "working against Parliament," he said MPs have often raised the issue of corruption inside the House. He recalled that some MPs had to lose their membership in the cash-for-query scam. "We had raised the issue of 2G scam," he said.
As he attacked Team Anna, Congress members were seen thumping desks in his support.

Sanjay Nirupam (Cong) claimed that some "outside powers" were trying to destabilise the Indian system through NGOs as they were jealous of the country`s development. He said while he too had earlier supported Team Anna`s fight against corruption, now it seemed that the group was waging a fight against the "political class".

Several NDA members were seen supporting Nirupam`s demand that a probe must be ordered to ascertain who was supporting Team Anna. Basudeb Acharia (CPI-M) said the attack on MPs was not an attack on an individual but on the reputation of the entire House.

Demanding action against the civil society members, Shailendra Kumar (SP) said the attack on Constitution should be slammed by all. He said all MPs should come forward to defend the "temple of democracy". All the while, slogan shouting on Telangana issue continued and Deputy Speaker Kariya Munda adjourned the House for the day.